EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSION ON MARINE BIOLOGY
Abstract
In order to provide biological information for the conducting of this weapon test in such a manner as to eliminate or minimize hazard through contamination of commercial fisheries products, investigations were conducted along three lines: (1) Studies of the distribution of marine organisms in and near the proposed test area to provide information which, together with data from Project 2.8 on currents, would make possible the selection of a test location such that the hazard to the fisheries would be minimal. (2) laboratory studies on the uptake of fission products by fishes and other marine organisms to provide basic information on the uptake of such products from sea water and their retention and excretion by the organisms. (3) Field studies following the test to investigate the uptake of resulting fission products by marine organisms. On the basis of these studies, together with information from other projects, it was possible to select a test location which resulted in no hazard to commercially important types of fish. However, such events occurring in biologically more productive areas, closer to commercial fishing areas, or in regions where the contaminated water would be carried into commercial fishing areas could result in important hazards. The laboratory and field data reported here should provide some basis of evaluating the hazards involved in the occurrence of such events in other areas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 13, 1957
- Accession Number
- AD0613617
Entities
People
- M. B. Schaefer
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography